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Rhode Island

ATTORNEY GENERAL PETER KILMARTIN
TOTAL ACTIONS: 50Updated December 14, 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

November 19, 2018Filed an Amicus Brief Opposing the Trump Administration’s Plan to Strip Protections from National Monuments
A multi-state coalition of 11 state attorneys general led by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in opposition to the Trump administration’s plan to revoke national monument protections for large portions of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah. The amicus brief supports ongoing litigation brought by national environmental groups and Native American tribes against the Trump administration’s actions.

The AGs noted that Executive Order 13792, which opened up the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments to mining, oil and gas extraction violates the Antiquities Act, which does not authorize Presidents to undue National Monument protections extended by previous administrations. In their brief, the AGs note that Executive Order 13792 also authorizes an open-ended review of protections for other national monument across the country by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke – a review that is also unlawful under the Antiquities Act.
[ Release | Amicus Brief | 11 AGs: Washington; California; Hawaii; Maine; Maryland; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Massachusetts ]

OCTOBER 2018

October 31, 2018Opposed EPA’s ‘Legally Flawed’ Rollback of the Clean Power Plan
A coalition of 19 AGs submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency demanding that the Trump administration withdraw the “Affordable Clean Energy” rule, the administration’s proposed replacement for the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The AGs’ comment letter includes the most comprehensive analysis published to date on the severe technical errors and extraordinary legal flaws included within the proposed rule. The AGs noted in their comments that the EPA’s proposed rule will lead to as many as 1,630 premature deaths, 120,000 asthma attacks, 140,000 missed school days, and 48,000 lost work days in 2030 compared to the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The proposed rule will also lead to 15,000 additional cases of upper respiratory problems, as well as a rise in rates of heart and lung disease.
[ Release | Comments | 19 AGs: New York; California; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Mexico; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C. ]

October 12, 2018Filed an Amicus Brief in Support of MA and NY Exxon Mobil Investigations
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit calling for the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Exxon Mobil Corp. that seeks to halt the climate change-related investigations brought by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on First Amendment grounds. On the same day, a coalition of four former Massachusetts attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting AG Healey’s right to complete her ongoing investigation based on the office's longstanding authority and responsibility to investigate potential cases of misrepresentation or fraud.
[ Multi-State Amicus Brief | Former AG Amicus Brief | 20 AGs: Delaware; Oregon; California; Connecticut; Hawaii; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Minnesota; Mississippi; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C. ]

SEPTEMBER 2018

September 24, 2018Submitted Comments Rejecting Interior and Commerce Department Proposals to Erode ESA Protections
A coalition of 10 AGs submitted comments to the Interior and Commerce Departments rejecting the Trump Administration’s plan to curtail species protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On July 25, the Administration put forward a series of proposed rules that would overhaul decades of ESA regulatory precedent and limit protections for species threatened by climate change. In addition to their anti-climate provisions, the Administration’s proposed rules would inject economic analysis into listing decisions for species.

The AGs noted that the proposed rules are “unauthorized by law” under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) because they depart from the text of the statute. On this point, the AGs called attention to a provision in Section 4 of the ESA which unambiguously prohibits the use of economic analysis in listing decisions. Additionally, the AGs noted that the Administration had failed to meet its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) based on its lack of analysis into the “devastating environmental effects” of the proposed rules. Failure to comply with NEPA also are grounds to vacate the proposed rules under the APA, the AGs noted.[Release | Comments | 10 AGs: Massachusetts; California; Maryland; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; and the District of Columbia]

September 13, 2018Sent a Letter to Congress Urging Full Funding for the EPA, Removing Anti-Environmental Riders
A coalition of 13 attorneys general transmitted a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders of both houses of Congress urging an agreement on a federal budget for fiscal year 2019 that preserves the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding levels relative to its FY 2018 budget. The AGs also argued against including any anti-environmental riders in the budget agreement that would “prohibit, de-fund or otherwise amend key health and environmental protection policies of the Agency.”
[Letter | 13 AGs: New York; California; Delaware; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; and the District of Columbia]

AUGUST 2018

August 27, 2018Sent a letter to EPA, DOT Requesting an Extension of the Public Comment Period for New CAFE Standards
Following the announcement of their intent to file suit against EPA and DOT over fuel efficiency standards, a coalition of 18 AGs sent a letter to EPA Acting-Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Heidi King requesting an extension of the public comment period for the Trump Administration’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. The AGs noted past precedent and argued that the significance and complexity of the Administration’s proposal necessitates a 120-day comment period. The AGs also argued that more public hearings are warranted, and formally requested that at least one public hearing be held in California given the Administration’s plan to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waiver.[Letter | 18 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Iowa; Illinois; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; District of Columbia]

August 23, 2018Submitted comments opposing EPA’s Proposal to Gut Chemical Safety Risk Management Rule
A coalition of 12 AGs submitted comments to the EPA arguing against the Agency’s proposal to roll back significant components of the Chemical Accident Safety Rule. The targeted provisions include a requirement that companies share information about the dangerous chemicals they produce and to take accident prevention measures. The attorneys general called on EPA to abandon the rollback because the proposal threatens the safety of workers, first responders and surrounding communities and is unlawful under the Clean Air Act.

The AGs’ comments came less than a week after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a coalition of state attorneys general that had previously sued the EPA over the Agency’s decision to delay implementation of the Risk Management Rule for 19 months.[Release| Comments | 12 AGs: New York; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New Mexico; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

August 2, 2018Announced intention to file suit against the EPA, DOT over Car Emissions Standards
A coalition of 20 Attorneys General announced that they were prepared to fight the Trump Administration’s proposal to revoke California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act, which allows the State to set its own emissions standard for greenhouse gas emissions. The AGs announced that they are also prepared for a legal battle over the Administration’s proposal to weaken emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2021 through 2026.

12 States and the District of Columbia have adopted the emissions standards set by California, which is the only State that is able to set its own standard under federal law. AGs from all 12 States and the District of Columbia joined the coalition.
[Statement | 20 AGs: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia]

JULY 2018

July 25, 2018Submitted Comments to FERC arguing for Stronger Economic, Environmental Reviews for New Pipelines
A coalition of 8 Attorneys General led by Massachusetts AG Maura Healey filed comments with FERC asking for a stronger review process for new natural gas pipelines, raising concerns that FERC’s decision-making process is too narrowly focused on the concerns of industry. The AG’s comments recommended probing the relationship between utilities and gas pipeline proponents, evaluating regional energy needs and a more comprehensive environmental analyses including the evaluation of potential climate impacts. FERC has approved 180 billion cubic feet of new interstate natural gas pipeline construction per day in the 18-year period between 1999 and 2017, a total that the AGs noted “exceeds current national peak demand.”

NY AG Barbara Underwood adopted the MA-led coalition comments and filed separate comments noting that FERC often finishes its approval process too quickly, overriding New York’s ability to complete its own assessment of the environment impacts of new pipelines, and harming the State’s policy priorities with regard to clean energy.
[Joint Comments | NY Comments | 8 AGs: Massachusetts; Illinois; Maryland; New Jersey; Rhode Island; Washington; New York; and the District of Columbia]

July 19, 2018Filed Suit Against EPA Over Glider Truck Rule*Update: On July 26, 2018 EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler withdrew the rule at the heart of this suit, representing a major win for the Attorneys General in this case (See memo: “Conditional No Action Assurance Regarding Small Manufacturers of Glider Vehicles”).

A coalition of 16 Attorneys General filed a lawsuit against the EPA for the Agency’s suspension of its 2016 Glider Truck Rule. In its press release announcing the suite, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that EPA’s decision is dangerous to human health and the environment. “The EPA itself has estimated that adding 10,000 gliders with non-compliant engines onto our roads in a single year could result in up to 1,600 premature deaths, 415,000 tons of additional nitrogen oxide emissions, and 6,800 tons of additional particulate matter emissions over the lifetime of those trucks. We look forward to making our case in court and to holding the EPA accountable for its blatant violation of our laws.”

May 31, 2018Sued EPA Over Failure to Implement Landfill Methane Regulation
A coalition of eight Attorneys General filed a lawsuit against the EPA over its failure to implement and enforce a critical landfill methane regulation. The regulation would reduce landfill emissions of volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, carbon dioxide, and methane. It went into effect on October 28, 2016, but the EPA has not implemented or enforced it.
[ Complaint | 8 AGs: California; Illinois; Maryland; New Mexico; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont ]

May 9, 2018Submitted Comments to FERC on Grid Resilience
The attorneys general of Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island submitted comments to FERC on the resiliency of the power system in New England. The AGs urged FERC to not make recommendations nor draw conclusions related to the resiliency of the New England energy market based solely on ISO-NE's analysis of the market because its study relied on faulty assumptions and analysis. The comments by the AGs also reiterated their objection to requiring ratepayers to subsidize uneconomic energy sources based on exaggerated resiliency concerns.
[ Comments | 3 AGs:Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Vermont ]

May 9, 2018Opposed FirstEnergy Emergency Order
Ten Attorneys General in filed comments with the Department of Energy (DOE) warning Secretary Rick Perry that he cannot invoke emergency powers under the Federal Power Act (FPA) to prop up failing power plants. FirstEnergy Solutions has asked DOE to declare a grid "emergency" under Section 202(c) of the FPA, based on anticipated retirements of non-competitive power plants in the region. FirstEnergy's requested order would "undermine competitive regional power markets, burden customers with excessive costs, undercut state energy laws and policies, and exacerbate pollution and public health harms," said the AGs in their comments.
[ Release | Comments | 10 AGs: Connecticut; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; North Carolina; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia; Washington; and Washington, D.C. ]

May 4, 2018Announced Plans to File Lawsuit Challenging EPA Attainment Designation in Racine County
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced her intention to file a lawsuit challenging EPA's decision that Wisconsin's Racine County is in an ozone attainment area, despite data indicating that it should be classified as in a non-attainment area because the area exceeds the 70 parts per billion ozone standard. If it stands, EPA's designation would allow Foxconn, which plans to build a large manufacturing plant in the County, to avoid installing emissions controls. The lawsuit will be filed in the D.C. Circuit within 60 days of the rule being published in the Federal Register.
[ Announcement | 1 AG:Illinois]

April 26, 2018Filed Comments to Defend the Clean Power Plan
Nineteen attorneys general filed comments with the EPA to defend the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and oppose the "unlawful and unsupported" repeal proposed by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "EPA's proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan is contrary to the Clean Air Act and arbitrary and capricious. To propose to repeal the Plan-without having first put in place a replacement rule that requires equivalent or greater pollution reductions-is nothing less than an abdication of EPA's duty to protect public health and welfare from what it has recognized to be the nation's most urgent environmental threat," wrote the attorneys general.
[Release | Comments | 19 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; North Carolina; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; and Washington, D.C.]

April 5, 2018Sued EPA For Failing to Control Methane Pollution
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and 14 other attorneys general "filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ignoring its legal duty to control emissions of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas – from existing oil and gas operations. Specifically, the suit charges that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has violated the federal Clean Air Act by 'unreasonably delaying' its mandatory obligation under the Act to control methane emissions from these operations."
[Release | Complaint | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

MARCH 2018

March 23, 2018Threatened to Sue EPA for Unlawful Delay of Landfille Emissions Rule
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra led a coalition of seven attorneys general in threatening to sue the EPA in 60 days if it continues to refuse to enforce a critical rule that protects public health and the environment. The Landfill Emissions Rule aims to reduce emissions of methane and other compounds that pose threats to air quality, creating a public health risk. The rule regulates emissions of methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas, from the third largest source of methane emissions in the country, landfills.
[ Release | Notice of Intent to Sue | 7 AGs: California; Illinois; Maryland; New Mexico; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont]

March 9, 2018Opposed Offshore Drilling Plans in Comments Filed with Interior
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh led a coalition of 12 state attorneys general in filing comments with the Department of the Interior expressing strong opposition to plans to expand drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. "The Secretary of the Interior should defer to our opposition to drilling in areas off our states' coasts, and should exclude all such areas from any new or revised [Outer Continental Shelf] leasing program. Indeed, failure to do so would be inconsistent with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act…and the Department of Interior's past practice of not imposing offshore drilling over state opposition."
[ Release | Comments | 12 AGs: California; Connecticut; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia; Washington]

FEBRUARY 2018

February 28, 2018Filed Comments with Interior Outlining How Offshore Drilling Could Harm Rhode Island
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin "submitted formal comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management opposing the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program which would open up the North Atlantic Regional Outer Continental Shelf to oil and gas exploration and drilling...'Rhode Island's irreplaceable natural resources would be put in jeopardy at every step of this unnecessary and unwise process, from disruptive testing and drilling needed to locate deposits, to the toll taken during extraction, transfer and transport of fuels, and the possible spills and blowouts that history shows occur during drilling activity. The consequences of offshore drilling along the Rhode Island coast are simply too great of a risk.'"
[Release | Comments | Rhode Island]

February 6, 2018Sued EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to Block "Unlawful" Delay of Clean Water Rule
In U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, New York Attorney Genera Eric Schneiderman led a group of 11 attorneys general in suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for suspending for two years the Clean Water Rule. The attorneys general argue the EPA ignored scientific evidence and a multi-year comment process and changed the definition of "waters of the United States."
[Release | Complaint | 11 AGs: California; Connecticut; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; and Washington, D.C.]

February 1, 2018Urged Secretary Zinke to Terminate Offshore Drilling Plans
A coalition of 12 attorneys general, led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, sent a letter to Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging him to terminate Interior's plan in the Draft Proposed Program to expand offshore drilling.
[Release | Letter| 12 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia]

JANUARY 2018

January 31, 2018Filed Amicus Brief to Restore Air Pollution Funds to Federal Harley-Davidson Settlement
In U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, a coalition of 11 attorneys general "filed an amicus brief opposing the elimination of $3 million in funding for clean air projects from a proposed settlement between the federal government and Harley-Davidson. The proposed settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Harley-Davidson stems from a complaint filed by the DOJ on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) arguing that Harley-Davidson manufactured and sold 'tuners' that once installed, caused motorcycles to emit excess amounts of certain harmful air pollutants, including hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides."
[Release| Amicus brief | 11 AGs: Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

December 26, 2017Sued EPA for Failing to Protect Residents from Out-of-State Pollution
Eight attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, sued EPA "to force action under the Clean Air Act to ensure upwind states adequately control the pollution that blows into New York and other downwind states...Specifically, the suit challenges the EPA’s denial of a petition that New York and several other states filed in late 2013 for the Agency to add nine additional states to the 'Ozone Transport Region,' a group of states established under the federal Clean Air Act that must act in concert to reduce smog pollution within the region."
[Release | Complaint | 8 AGs: Connecticut; Delaware; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont]

December 20, 2017Wrote Letter to Congress Opposing Steep EPA Budget Cuts, Anti-Environment Riders
Twelve attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, sent a letter to congressional leaders opposing steep cuts in the EPA's Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The House-passed budget bill cuts EPA's funding by $650 million, while the Senate-passed legislation calls for a $150 million decrease. Both would give the Agency its smallest operating budget in more than 30 years.
[Release| Letter to Congress | 12 AGs: California; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington, D.C.]

December 12, 2017Opposed Senate Bill Extending Deadline for Wood Stoves to Comply with Clean Air Act
Attorneys general opposed Senate Bill 1857, "which would extend the deadline until May 15, 2023 by which certain new residential wood heaters (principally, wood stoves and wood hydronic heaters or “boilers”) must comply with Clean Air Act emissions limits. [Letter to Senate; Letter to House | 5 AGs: Massachusetts; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island]

December 12, 2017Opposed Dept. of Justice's Harley Davidson Consent Decree Lacking Mitigation
Attorneys general say the proposed Consent Decree does not satisfy the applicable standard for entry of a consent decrees and does not serve the public interest.
[Notice of Intent to File Amicus Brief | 9 AGs: Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

December 5, 2017Sued EPA For Flouting Clean Air Requirements
In District Court, Northern District of California, attorneys general sued EPA "for failing to meet the Clean Air Act’s statutory deadline for designating areas of the country impacted by unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone (commonly referred to as smog)...With this suit, the coalition makes good on its pledge to sue the EPA if it failed to meet this key statutory and public health requirement."
[Release | Complaint | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

NOVEMBER 2017

November 22, 2017Opposed Fee Hikes at Most Popular National Parks
Attorneys general filed comments opposing the National Park Service’s (NPS) proposal "to dramatically increase entrance fees at 17 national parks...Under the proposal, the per vehicle entrance fee during the five-month peak season would increase to $70 from $25 or $30. Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian entrance fees would also increase by double or more." [Release |Comments to National Park Service | 11 AGs: Arizona; California; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

October 5, 2017Pledged Lawsuit Against EPA For Ignoring Key Clean Air Deadline
Attorneys general filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA "for failing to meet the Clean Air Act’s statutory deadline for designating areas of the country impacted by unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone (known as smog)...The designation of areas with unhealthy smog levels plays a key role under the Clean Air Act in addressing the pollutant’s severe harms to public health, triggering requirements for state-specific plans and deadlines to reduce pollution in the designated areas."
[Release |Notice of Intent to Sue | 14 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

AUGUST 2017

August 31, 2017Called on EPA Administrator Pruitt to Retract Erroneous And Inappropriate Clean Power Plan Guidance
"New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman led a coalition of 20 states and localities in urging the retraction of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 'legally incorrect' guidance to States regarding Clean Power Plan implementation -- which was not just legally erroneous, but also flies in the face of Administrator Scott Pruitt’s subsequent agreement to recuse himself from the Clean Power Plan litigation given his conflicts of interest."
[Release | Letter to EPA | 14 AGs: California; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

August 25, 2017Filed Comments Requesting DOJ Restore Mitigation in Harley-Davidson Settlement
A coalition of 12 attorneys general filed comments with the U.S. Department of Justice "to object to the proposed decree as amended...to forego a $3 million emissiosn mitigation project included in the original decree...the States request that DOJ and EPA restore the original mitigation project or, alternatively, require Harley-Davidson to mitigate its excess emissions in a manner consistent with the public interest."
[Comments to DOJ | 12 AGs: Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

August 9, 2017Opposed EPA’s Illegal Proposed Delay of Rule Limiting Methane Emissions
Attorneys general "submitted comments in opposition to EPA's proposed 27-month compliance delay of an important public health rule put forward during the Obama Administration. The methane new source rule now in place limits emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas by encouraging the use of emerging technology in leak monitoring and setting a fixed schedule for monitoring leaks at all well sites and compressor stations."
[Release | Comments to EPA |13 AGs: California; Illinios; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington, D.C.]

July 25, 2017Sued EPA for Illegally Delaying Rule that Protect Communities & First Responders from Chemical Accidents
In D.C. Court of Appeals, attorneys general sued EPA "for illegally delaying a vital rule meant to protect communities, workers, and first responders from dangerous chemical accidents. The rule – the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements or the 'Chemical Accident Safety Rule'– makes critical improvements to Congressionally-mandated protections against explosions, fires, poisonous gas releases, and other accidents at more than 12,000 facilities across the country—including over 200 in New York—that store and use toxic chemicals. "
[Release |Petition for Review | 11 AGs: Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

July 21, 2017Opposed First Step in Plan to Permit Offshore Drilling off Atlantic Coast
Attorneys general "submitted comments opposing the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) proposal to conduct deep penetration surveys in the Atlantic Ocean. In the letter submitted today, the attorneys general point out that the surveys pose a significant risk to the coastline, the environment, and to marine life."
[Release |Letter to NMFS | 9 AGs: Connecticut; Delaware;Maryland; Massachusetts; North Carolina; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Washington, D.C.]

JUNE 2017

June 29, 2017Vowed Lawsuit If EPA Continues Ignoring Legal Duty To Control Methane Pollution
Attorneys general "put the Trump Administration on notice today that they plan to sue if the Administration continues to ignore its legal duty to control emissions of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas – from existing oil and gas operations. In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the coalition provides the required notice of their intention to sue the Agency for failing to fulfill its mandatory obligation under the Clean Air Act to control methane emissions from existing oil and natural gas sources and for 'unreasonably delaying' the issuance of such controls."
[Release | Intent to Sue Letter | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

June 9, 2017Promised Legal Fight If EPA Moves To Roll Back Key Vehicle Emission Standards
Attorneys general "warned the Trump Administration that any effort to roll back key vehicle emission standards would be met by a 'vigorous' court challenge. In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the coalition makes clear that it will take legal action if the EPA attempts to weaken air pollution standards set for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2022 to 2025."
[Release |Letter to EPA | 14 AGs:Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai'i; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washingon, D.C.]

June 6, 2017Joined National "We Are Still In" Pledge To Maintain Commitments To Paris Climate Agreement
Attorneys general declared they are still committed to the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Accord after President Trump announced the United States would pull out of the agreement.
[Release | Pledge | 19 AGs: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C.]

APRIL 2017

April 26, 2017Opposed Bill Delaying EPA Protections for Ozone Air Quality Standards
Attorneys general urged "Congress to protect critical ozone air quality standards. In letters to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the coalition detailed its opposition to the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (S. 263 / H.R. 806) which would delay the ozone rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015. That rule is expected to result in vital public health benefits."
[Release | Letter to Congress | 16 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Iowa; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Virginia; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

April 5, 2017Opposed EPA's Efforts To Stall Clean Power Plan Case
In the D.C. Court of Appeals, attorneys general "filed opposition to the Trump administration’s request to delay court proceedings regarding the Clean Power Plan...after President Trump signed an executive order directing the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan and decide whether to 'suspend, rescind, or revise' it...EPA filed a motion asking the court to hold the litigation in abeyance while the Agency reconsiders the rule."[Release | Opposition to Motion to Hold Proceeding in Abeyance |18 AGs:California; Connecticut; Deleware; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

March 30, 2017Urged Congress to Reject Proposals Gutting the EPA
Attorney generals opposed "the proposed federal budget cuts to the EPA and its critical programs...the attorneys general point to the President’s recent proposal to cut 31 percent from the EPA’s budget, which is the biggest cut of any federal agency in the White House 2018 budget, as well as a bill introduced by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz that would eliminate the EPA entirely on December 31, 2018."
[Release |Letter to Congress | 13 AGs: Connecticut; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington, D.C.]

FEBRUARY 2017

February 28, 2017Urged Rep. Lamar Smith to End Congressional Interference with States' Exxon Investigation
Attorneys general "urged Rep. Lamar Smith, Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, to withdraw subpoenas sent to the Attorneys General of Massachusetts and New York, and to end the committee’s inquiry into investigations being conducted by the states of Massachusetts and New York into possible securities and consumer protection law violations by the ExxonMobil Corporation."
[Release | Letter to Congressman Lamar Smith | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Mississippi; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Virginia; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

February 15, 2017Urged Senate To Oppose Bill Eliminating States’ Authority To Protect Waterways Against Pollution From Commercial Vessels
Attorneys general urged "opposition to the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, legislation that would dramatically weaken clean water protections by preventing New York and other states from limiting the discharge of biological pollution by commercial shipping vessels into their waters. The bill would also take the radical step of exempting these discharges from the federal Clean Water Act."
[Release |Letter to U.S. Senate | 10 AGs: California; Illiniois; Maine; Massachusetts; Michigan; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

February 7, 2017Opposed U.S. Senate Resolution to Void Methane Gas Safeguards
Attorneys general "sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would void important safeguards that are vital to controlling the leaking, venting, and flaring of methane from oil and natural gas developments on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management."
[Release | Letter to Congress | 7 AGs: Illinois; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont]

JANUARY 2017

January 24, 2017Filed to Intervene in EPA Suit to Keep Truck Emissions Rule in Place
In D.C. District Court, attorneys general filed a motion to intervene "to preserve a federal program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines...the attorneys general state they have substantial interests in strong, federal greenhouse gas emissions standards because such standards are needed – as part of broader efforts – to secure nationwide emissions reductions that are crucial to mitigate climate impacts that are already being experienced in their states. " [Release |Motion to Intervene | 7 AGs: Connecticut; Iowa; Massachusetts; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

January 19, 2017Sought to Defend EPA Rule Protecting States From Upwind Smog Pollution
In D.C. District Court, attorneys general sought to intervene "in support of the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Update Rule, which requires power plants in 22 states to significantly reduce smog pollution that blows into downwind states...and threatens public health." The measure "has been challenged by fourteen energy corporations and upwind states seeking to overturn the rule."
[Release | Motion to Intervene | 6 AGs: Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New York; Rhode Island; Vermont]